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The African Queen

1951 film by John Huston

The African Queen is a 1951 film about a gin-swilling riverboat captain in Africa during WWI who is persuaded by a strait-laced missionary to use his boat to attack an enemy warship.

Directed by John Huston. Written by James Agee and John Huston, based on the novel by C. S. Forester.
The greatest adventure a man ever lived...with a woman!

Charlie Allnut

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  • Things are never so bad they can't be made worse.
  • Ooooh! Coward yourself! You ain't no lady. No, Miss. That's what my poor old Mother would say to you, if my poor old Mother was to hear you. Whose boat is this, anyway? I asked you on board 'cause I was sorry for you on account of your losing your brother and all. What you get for feeling sorry for people! Well, I ain't sorry no more, you crazy, psalm-singing, skinny old maid!
  • Pinch me, Rosie. Here we are, going down the river like Anthony and Cleopatra on that barge! I'll never forget the way you looked going over the falls - head up, chin out, hair blowing in the wind - the living picture of a hero-eyne!
  • What a time we've had, Rosie. What a time. We'll never lack for stories to tell our grandchildren, will we?

Rose Sayer

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  • [to Charlie, after realizing she is in love with him] Dear. What is your first name?
  • [to Charlie] You're the bravest man that ever lived.

German captain

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  • By the authority vested in me by Kaiser Wilhelm II, I pronounce you man and wife. Proceed with the execution.

Dialogue

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Charlie Allnut: Well, Miss, ‘ere we are, everything ship shape, like they say. Ah, it's a great thing to have a lady aboard with clean habits. It sets the man a good example. A man alone, he gets to livin' like a hog. Ha, ha. Then, too, with me, it's always: 'Put things off. Never do today what you can put off 'til tomorrow.' But with you: 'Business before pleasure.' Every time. Do all your personal laundry. Make yourself spic-and-span, get all the mending out of the way, and then - and only then - sit down for a nice quiet hour with the Good Book. I tell you, it's a model - like an inspiration. Why, I ain't had this old engine so clean in years, inside and out. Ha, ha. Just look at her, Miss. See how she practically sparkles. Myself, too. Guess you ain't never had a look at me without my whiskers and all cleaned up. I bet you wouldn't hardly recognize me, works that much of a change. Freshens ya up, too. If I only had some clean clothes, like you. Now you - why you could be at high tea. Say, that's an idea, Miss. How's about a nice little cup of tea? Now don't you stir, I'll be glad to make it for you.
[silence]
Charlie Allnut: Uh, how's the Book, Miss? [no answer] Well, not that I ain't read it. That is to say, my poor old Mum used to read me stories out of it. [no answer] How's about reading it out loud? [silence] I could sure do with a little spiritual comfort, myself. [Yelling at her] And you call yourself a Christian! Do you hear me? Don't ya? Don't ya? Huh? What ya being so mean for, Miss? A man takes a drop too much once in a while. It's only human nature.
Rose Sayer: Nature, Mr. Allnut, is what we are put in this world to rise above.
Charlie Allnut: Miss, I'm sorry. I apologize. What more can a man do than say he's sorry, huh? [no answer] You done paid me back, Miss. You didn't even leave me a drop. Miss, have a heart. Fair is fair. You gotta say somethin', I don't care what it is, but you gotta say something. I'll be honest with ya, Miss. I, I just can't stand no more of this. I-I just ain't used to it, that's all.
Charlie Allnut: I don't blame you for being scared, Miss, not one little bit. Ain't no person in their right mind ain't scared of white water.
Rose Sayer: I never dreamed that any mere physical experience could be so stimulating!
Charlie Allnut: How's that, Miss?
Rose Sayer: I've only known such excitement a few times before - a few times in my dear brother's sermons when the spirit was really upon him.
Charlie Allnut: You mean you want to go on?
Rose Sayer: Naturally.
Charlie Allnut: Miss, you're crazy.
Rose Sayer: I beg your pardon.
Charlie Allnut: You know what would have happened if we would have come up against one of them rocks?
Rose Sayer: But we didn't. I must say I'm filled with admiration for your skill, Mr. Allnut. Do you suppose I'll try practice steering a bit that someday I might try? I can hardly wait... Now that I've had a taste of it. I don't wonder you love boating, Mr. Allnut.
Rose Sayer: Don't be worried, Mr. Allnut.
Charlie Allnut: Oh, I ain't worried, Miss. Gave myself up for dead back where we started.

Cast

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